ASICS Novablast 5 Review
Is ASICS Novablast 5 the ultimate daily trainer—or just another step forward?
Likes
- Comfortable fit with a well-designed upper
- Cushioned yet stable for everyday training
Dislikes
- Less versatile than version 4, more pure daily trainer
- Tongue alignment can be fussy
What's New
The ASICS Novablast was created to be an energetic, highly cushioned daily trainer. The fifth version delivers on point. It features FF Blast Max in the midsole, making the shoe lighter and more lively.
The upper has also been revamped with greater flexibility, versatility, and comfort. A big update is the reconstructed tongue, but there is debate about whether this hit the mark.
The Bottom Line
The Novablast has been a best seller and version 5 is following suit. It has shifted more toward daily trainer and feels softer than version 4. It’s a reliable pick for those who want a smooth, bouncy ride, but runners looking for a snappier, quicker shoe may want to explore other options.
The Novablast 5 brings notable upgrades from version 4, but there’s still room for improvement. The midsole offers better cushioning and structure but lacks the springy, responsive feel needed for faster intervals. The upper remains soft and secure, though the tongue could use some tweaking, and breathability might be an issue on hot days. The outsole provides solid traction, but long-term durability is a question.
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 8.7 oz (size 9) | Women's: 7.8 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 41 mm (Heel), 33 mm (Forefoot) | 8 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Erik: "A very comfortable engineered mesh upper. I liked the plushness and overall fit. No noticeable hotspots or issues. The only question is if it is too much upper and not breathable enough. I ran in mild temperatures and didn’t notice any issues but can see it being a little bit of an issue as the temperatures increase.
I think the tongue could use a little reworking. I found it to slip and not to be at the same standard as the rest of the upper."
Daisy: "The shoe didn't cause any irritation to my foot. Everything feels very comfortable but the tongue is slightly annoying to get in place, especially compared to the Novablast 4. My foot never felt too hot.
When running on flat ground, uphill, and minor declines the security/lockdown was fine, but when I went down a steeper hill, I noticed I slid to the front of the shoe quite a bit. Once my foot settled, it felt fine. Additionally, when I changed the lace location, it felt better."
Midsole
Erik: “The FF Blast Max foam is a nice upgrade from previous versions of the shoe. The cushioning underfoot provided an experience that was high on comfort. It was energetic, but not snappy and quick."
Daisy: "The foam is still soft but it had more structure than the previous model. The shoe felt more bouncy than snappy and kept me comfortable on my longer runs or just walking all day."
Outsole
Erik: "I found no issues with the outsole of the shoe. Traction seemed good and I had no noticeable durability issues. But I didn’t run in any conditions other than dry roads and I didn’t get a chance to put in too many miles. There has been some talk about slipping in wet conditions and some premature wear, but that is to be determined."
Daisy: "The traction is significantly better than the previous version and I tuned into this right away. I've used it on roads/sidewalks only and it felt nice even in the rain. When I need to dig in and go faster, the shoe feels very stable and easy to push off."
Comparable Shoes
ASICS Novablast 5 vs. New Balance Rebel v4
Erik: "The Rebel is a shoe that I think feels good when you want to go faster but is a little less enjoyable when using it for everyday miles. When I think of a continuum between fast days to every day running, I would say the Novablast 5 is great for everyday running when you want to go fast once in a while. The Rebel v4 is good for fast days where you aren’t going to drag at all."
ASICS Novablast 5 vs. New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14
Daisy: "The Novablast 5 is a good Goldilocks/Mama Bear shoe because it's not the fastest shoe I've worn but I feel confident when I want to move a little faster. But it's also not the softest shoe, although I am comfortable after long distances. The 1080 is very squishy but less clunky, hence it makes me feel like I can vary my speed easier."
Individual Thoughts
The Novablast 5 is an improvement to the Novablast 4. A livelier underfoot feel and a plusher ride, while keeping the weight down, leads me to like this shoe a touch more than the previous model. But the updates also moved this shoe to a more everyday trainer category than ever before. While I want this shoe to be a choice for days when I want to run faster, it just doesn’t give me the same feel as other models dedicated to the space.
But if I look at this shoe as an everyday trainer for some easy to moderate miles, I think it hits the spot. When I want to go faster for portions, the shoe does the job. When I want a day where I know I’m going to go fast for most of my miles I can just look elsewhere.
Overall, I am very pleased with the ASICS Novablast 5. Not only does it look good, but it had major upgrades from the previous model which I noticed before I had even started my first run. It is designed to be a great daily trainer, and I believe it to be so. I feel comfortable in longer runs or all-day wear but also enjoy it for a quick and shorter run.
The main downfall is the tongue, but I think I'm more sensitive to this change since I have the two models side by side. Had I not used the previous tongue version I think I would be aware of the tongue design but not flat out against it. The upper material is very thin which is great for a warm day and if you have sweaty feet.
